The battery of eighteen pieces of cannon, which covered the centre of
the Russian army at the battle of La Moskwa (Borodino), may be cited as
an example.
Its position, upon a circular height which commanded the field in every
direction, added so powerfully to its effect, that its fire alone
sufficed, for a considerable time, to paralyze the vigorous attack
made by the French with their right. Although twice broken, the left
of the Russian army closed to this battery, as to a pivot, and twice
recovered its former position. After repeated attacks, conducted with
a rare intrepidity, the battery was at length carried by the French,
but not till they had lost the _élite_ of their army, and with it the
Generals Caulincourt and Montbrun. Its capture decided the retreat of
the Russian left.
I might advert likewise to another instance, in the campaign of 1809,
and to the terrible effect produced by the hundred pieces of cannon of
the Guard which General Lauriston directed, at the battle of Wagram,
against the right of the Austrian army.